[MR] Cutting soapstone into slabs

[Doug and Maria, Sven and Ginevra]

I took a very informative class at pennsic this year on that very 
topic.  The instuctor said a hacksaw would work (he prefered a 
bandsaw) after cutting, use sandpaper on a slab of marble (or other, 
hard flat surface) and sand the stone smooth.

Hope this helps

Sven











>  > Unto those assembled does Gorm of Berra, frustrated caster, send 
>greetings...
>>
>>  I am in possession of two large bricks of soapstone (3"x3"x6" each) which I
>>  wish to subdivide down into 20ish 3"x3"x1/2" slabs for carving and casting.
>>
>>  The problem is that I do not seem to posses the right tools for this job.
>>
>>  This can be solved with a simple application of money, obviously, but the
>>  question is...what *is* the right tool for the job?
>>
>>  I have a coping saw...but I couldn't cope with it (dulled blades way fast,
>>  and tough to cut a straight line).
>>
>>  I'm not opposed to power tools...in fact I rather like them.  The question
>>  is, what power tool to use?
>>
>>  Alternatively, what manual tool will assist me in cutting a reasonably
>>  accurately square slab without an overabundance of effort?
>>
>>  Gorm
>
>Hey Gorm!
>
>I'm sure you'll get other, more helpful answers, but I'll take a shot
>at this...
>
>I haven't done a *lot* of soapstone cutting, but what I have, I've
>had pretty good luck with an ordinary hacksaw.  Shouldn't be too
>hard to rig a "straight-across miter box" type thing to guide your
>cut (actually, I think most miter boxes do have a square cut guide,
>but the opening may be too wide for the thin hacksaw blade...)
>
>'Course if you have access to a band saw with a metal-cutting blade,
>you're set!  :)
>
>--Landi (SCA, Inc. member #8978, opposed to the NMS, for those who
>   aren't already tearing their hair out over *that* arguement! <:-)
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